Barely 48 hours after the confirmation of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the founder of Stanbic IBTC and Anap Foundation, Atedo Peterside has lent his voice to this latest intervention in the judiciary, noting that he would not write off the new CJN prematurely.
Atedo who posted on his social media handle on Friday, September 27, 2024, which was monitored by veracitydesk.com apparently opened his remarks with a quote from the famous Irish poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde and said:
It is important to remember the words of Oscar Wilde: “Every Saint Has a Past, Every Sinner Has a Future”. In life, it is important to do what you need to do i.e. present your case, along with the evidence, expertly. I would not write off the new CJN prematurely. Let us think positively. #EdoDecides2024
Atedo’s comments came on the heels of condemnation and concerns expressed by the public over pervasive corruption in the judiciary and it is expected that the new kid in the bloc will find the courage to roar all the wolves in her house to submission to run an enviable tenure and build a legacy for an improved and credible justice system that the country can be proud of.
Unfortunately, achieving this feat might appear as a nightmare as the courts have arguably become houses of rot and victims of state capture. At 75 per cent, the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission have the lowest public trust among Nigerians, per Afrobarometer.
Although, the new CJN who is now the 23rd individual to hold the position on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 assured Nigerians to reposition that critical arm of government which is believed to be the last hope of the common man stated:
“I will ensure that the courts are digitised. It will make it easier in tracking cases, and judges could be called to order if they are not treating their cases expeditiously,” she stated during the confirmation hearing.
She outlined several key initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, particularly in handling criminal cases.
“Especially in criminal matters where you have delays, we will use virtual hearings. It is something I will encourage so that criminal matters will be disposed of expeditiously,” she added.
In her vision for the judicial system, Kekere-Ekun also highlighted the importance of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods.
“I will employ the use of ADR to decongest matters in the courts. In the courts, there is always a victor and vanquished, but in ADR, all the parties will go home satisfied,” she explained.
She further noted, “We are exploring ways to ensure that prison decongestion is frequently carried out. Virtual hearings will help fast-track cases; the failure to produce defendants is usually the delay in criminal cases.”
